Kid Konnection: Between Shades of Gray

The Soviet Union occupied Lithuania in 1940 and Stalin’s troops created lists of people considered to be anti-Soviet – these were doctors, teachers, military, landowners, writers, librarians and so many more. These people were imprisoned, murdered or deported to Siberia. Fifteen year old Lina’s father worked at the university, so her family was targeted. Her father was sent to prison, while Lina, her mother and her younger brother Jonas were sent to Siberia. Lina was an artist and chronicled their journey with drawings.

Between Shades of Gray, by Ruta Sepetys, tells the heartbreaking story of those deported to Siberia. It’s the story of people of different ages and different backgrounds having to learn to join together under harsh conditions in order to survive. While Lina is a fictional character, her story is based on the story of many other people, and many of the incidences in the book are based on true stories. I became very attached to Lina and some of the other characters in this book and sobbed more than once because many of them didn’t have happy endings.

I’m finding it very difficult to articulate how much this book means to me and I have tears in my eyes as I type this. My maternal grandparents immigrated from Lithuania early in the twentieth century, so they were in the United States before any of this happened. They left many family members behind, though, and I grew up hearing about a great uncle who was exiled to Siberia simply because he owned a small plot of land. He wasn’t a young man at the time, but he survived ten years in Siberia, only to come home to find the windows and doors of his home missing. He and his wife had to huddle in bed all winter, surviving on scraps of food brought to them by friends and neighbors. When spring came, they fixed up their house and bought a cow. That cow was so important to their survival that they brought it into their home when winter came again.

I’m so glad that Ruta Sepetys has chosen to tell this story. Her book is well written and marketed as a YA book, but it is one that should crossover into the adult market. The story is absorbing, even though it is gut wrenching and heartbreaking. This is an important book and one you shouldn’t miss – do yourself a favor and read it. This video is long, but well worth watching. I’ve watched it several times and have cried each time. You need to hear the survivor’s stories.

For more children’s books reviews, go to Booking Mama’s feature, Kid Konnection. If you’d like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children’s books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, leave a comment as well as a link on her site.

I’m so thankful that the author was able to write this story and then get it published so it won’t be forgotten. I was equally touched by a novel I read when I was in hs (back in the 70s) called The Endless Steppe.
Thank you for telling about your relatives. And how great that you can pass that along to your son. We need to know about those who came before us. I really appreciate that you included the video. I watched it and you’re right, it’s quite emotional.

Thank you Kathy, sharing your thoughts about this book and sharing too you uncle’s story !
Some books are magical : I remember one I offered for Christmas to my grand-father. He was a very young soldier (17 years old) during World war 1 and rarely spoke about it. But after reading the book, he explained me it was just what he lived, and his eyes was full of tears.
Now he passed away, I keep the book with care !

I loved this book, too! I cried for the entire second half of the book…It was so powerful and real. I read it months ago and still think of it at least once or twice a week. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Just watched the trailer and you’re right – was boo-hooing as Irena’s dad said good-bye to her from the slats in the train – wow, can’t imagine how emotional the book must be. Will definitely be lookign for this one.

I am definitely going to read this one now. Kathy you delivered the essence of why this book touched you and thank you for sharing a piece of family history. It ties up my conviction that YES gotta to read this one next.

I read a lot about this book on Natalie’s site, and just from your reaction to it, and the praise you give it, I think it’s one that I really need to seek out and try for myself. It sounds as if this story really touched you personally and in some ways brought you closer to the things that your family went through. Thanks for posting the video as well. It seems like an extremely moving book.

This book has become one of my favorites and I’m so glad you loved it as well – your personal family history is incredible as well. Like you, I am so happy that she wrote this, and I love the fact that it was written for a YA audience. I’m so looking forward to her next book!

I had thought this sounded like a good book to read from the description but after reading your wonderful review I know it is a book I must read! I think these types of stories are very important and they are stories that must not be forgotten!

When books touch someone personally, it makes the experience with the fictional story all the more satisfying and emotional. I cannot even imagine how you must have felt reading about these characters given what members of your family endured. Thanks so much for sharing your personal history with us and for the fantastic review. I must put this on the to-read list.